The Doctorate of Education (Ed.D.) in School System Leadership is a “Practice Based” doctoral program designed to develop leaders who can create and lead collaborative and inclusive system improvement initiatives. The program enrolls cohorts of students who work together over 36 months to identify, investigate and solve real school system problems. The Ed.D in School System Leadership is approved by the Maryland State Department of Education for Superintendent II certification.
Signature Program elements:
- Grounded in the practices of improvement science
- Courses offered in non-standard semester schedule through all day Saturday seminars and online modules
- Program culminates in a Capstone Project that focuses on improving or eliminating a real problem of practice within a school system
- Graduates of the program receive a Superintendent Endorsement (The only program of its kind in the state of Maryland)
- Minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale in all undergraduate courses taken at a regionally accredited college or university
- Minimum GPA of 3.5 on a 4.0 scale in all graduate courses completed to fulfill requirements of a Master’s degree
- Master’s degree in a field relevant to education leadership
- Maryland Administrator I Certification or equivalent
- Minimum 3 years of successful experience in an educational leadership position
- 3 Letters of Recommendation from individuals familiar with candidates’ leadership potential, relevant experience, and ability to succeed in a rigorous graduate program. A minimum of one letter must be from someone who has served as a supervisor of the applicant
- Resume/CV
- Professional Statement
- Supplemental Application: Applicants respond to 3 questions related to educational leadership
- Personal interview with program faculty
Overview of Application Process
The application process for the EDUC Ed.D. Program is a two-part process involving an initial screening application to the School Leadership (EDUC) Ed.D. Program, followed by a formal application to the ֲý of Maryland.
The program is now accept applications for the Spring 2025 admissions cycle.
Step 1: (Unofficial) Screening Application Process - Deadline: October 18, 2024
To start the application process, please go to . All materials are to be submitted to the program for screening. Additional screening exercises are conducted which may include an interview. Complete the PDF fillable graduate application located within the initial online application. (Applications now open for Spring 2025):
Note: You must be a U.S. Citizen or a pending U.S. Citizen to apply to this program.
Upload the following required application materials:
- Copy of official transcripts from all institutions from which you received 9-credits or more; must have degree posted and cumulative GPA's on transcripts. *See note below if you have international transcripts.
- Personal Statement and Resume'
- 1 Letter of Recommendation speaking to Leadership Skills (you will need a total of 3 for the official application)
- Answer 3 questions listed in the initial application
*Note: If you have an international transcript, we will need the following transcript
- A copy of the original transcript(s) in the original language, certificate/diploma along with a Literal English Translation. (WES evaluations are NOT accepted.)
- In some cases, English Proficiency Exam may be required. TOEFL or IELTS or PTE. (Philippine transcripts require Exam scores.) For more information on score requirements, visit the Graduate School English Proficiency Exam webpage.
Step 2: Program faculty screen applicants and recommend for full application
Candidates who are successful through the program screening process are recommended to formally apply to the ֲý of Maryland, Graduate School (Deadline: October 18, 2024)
Application and Admission Timeline (Subject to Change):
- August 9, 2024
- Application Portal Opens (Contact Judy Foster, jfoster@umd.edu in order to submit)
- October 18, 2024
- Application Portal Closes/Screening & Review Process Begins
- Completed applications are reviewed by Ed.D. Team
- Promising candidates are invited to interview with Ed.D. Team
- Application Portal Closes/Screening & Review Process Begins
- November 8, 2024
- Notification to candidates recommended to apply to officially apply to the ֲý of Maryland Graduate School begins November 8, 2024 through December 13, 2024
- January 27, 2025
- Spring Semester Classes Begins January 27, 2024.
Zoom Information Sessions
APPLICATIONS OPEN SPRING 2024
EARN YOUR DOCTORATE OF EDUCATION IN SCHOOL SYSTEM LEADERSHIP
Grounded in the practices of improvement science Courses offered in non-standard semester scheduled through all day Saturday seminars and online modules Students participate in coursework, field experiences and cutting edge experiential learning Program culminates in a Capstone Project that focuses on improving or eliminating a real problem of practice within a school system Graduates of the program receive a Superintendent II Endorsement (The only program of its kind in the state of Maryland)
Target participants: Cohorts of 15-20 mid to upper level school system administrators
Zoom Information Sessions are being held:
January 16, 2024 (7-8:15 pm)
February 21, 2024 (7-8:15 pm)
March 6, 2024 (7-8:15 pm)
Register Here:
This is a cohort model program. A diverse cohort of 15-20 educational leaders/administrators from across the state participate in courses offered online and through all-day Saturday seminars.
- 60 credits (post-Master’s)
- 27 credits in 6 Core Topical Seminars (4 credits each)
- 9 credits in Applied Research, Assessment and Evaluation courses (3 credits each)
- 4 credits (2 courses) in professional inquiry and written communication
- 5 Key Assessments
- Extensive externship and portfolio requirement
- 8 credits of Apprenticeship (Extensive externship & portfolio requirement)
- 12 credits of Capstone credits (6 credits of 828: mid-program assessment and 6 credits of 829)
Screening and admissions: Judy Foster, jfoster@umd.edu
Program: Dr. Douglas Anthony, danthony@umd.edu
Tuition and Financial: Valerie Foster, vfoster@umd.edu
Applying is a two-step process:
The next cohort will start Fall 2024.
- Application Portal will Open March 15, 2024 (contact jfoster@umd.edu in order to submit)
- Program will Review Submitted/Completed applications: May 17, 2024
- Notifications to candidates recommended to apply to Graduate School begins June 14, 2024
- Fall Semester classes begins August 26, 2024
Zoom Information Sessions:
January 16, 2024 (7-8:15 pm)
February 21, 2024 (7-8:15 pm)
March 6, 2024 (7-8:15 pm)
Register Here: